Porsche has unveiled a surprise concept car, the 918 Spyder, on the eve of the Geneva Motor Show during a special pre-show event.  Introduced by President and CEO of Porsche AG, Michael Macht, the mid-engined sports car takes the “ecology vs. performance” issue a few notches up.  

  

Described as a “Super-Sports” car, the 918 Spyder is a low emissions plug-in hybrid with a split personality.  On the ecological side it is capable of 3.0 litres/100 kilometers (94 mpg imp / 78 mpg US) with just 70 grams of CO2 emissions per kilometer.  However, on the performance side, it’s driven by a V8 producing more than 368 kW (500 PS / 493 hp) plus three electric motors putting out 160 kW (218 PS / 215 hp).  That gives the two-seater a combined power output of 528 kW (718 PS / 708 hp) resulting in a 0 to 100 km/h sprint in just 3.2 seconds, top speed of 320 km/h (198 mph), and a lap time on the Nurburgring Nordschleife in less than 7:30 minutes, which is faster than the Porsche Carrera GT.  Read more